Pod Control
Automate pod reservation, environmental controls, and IoT device management for modular workspace pods.
We start with What is Pod Control?, move on to Supported pod hardware, cover Setup & configuration, and wrap up with Occupancy sensing.
What is Pod Control?
Pod Control is a Links addon that bridges your workspace management platform with modular office pods and their embedded IoT systems. It enables:
- Automated booking — pod reservations sync with Links booking calendar
- Environmental control — adjust lighting, temperature, and ventilation on booking start
- Occupancy sensing — PIR/CO₂ sensors feed real-time data into Links Analytics
- Remote lock/unlock — secure pods via Links without physical keys
- Energy management — automatically power down HVAC and lighting when a pod is idle
Supported pod hardware
Pod Control integrates with the following pod manufacturers via their published APIs and BACnet/MQTT protocols:
| Manufacturer | Protocol | Supported Models |
|---|---|---|
| Framery | REST API | O, Q, Four, 2Q |
| Kettal | MQTT | Sett, Lopi |
| Steelcase | BACnet | Flex Collection |
| Haworth | REST API | Brody WorkLounge |
| Generic BACnet | BACnet/IP | Any compliant device |
For unlisted hardware, use the Generic BACnet integration if the device supports BACnet/IP.
Setup & configuration
Step 1 — Enable the addon
Go to Dashboard → Addons → Pod Control → Enable. The addon requires at least one space of type "Pod" to activate.
Step 2 — Connect hardware
Addons → Pod Control → Hardware → + Add Device
Select manufacturer → Enter device IP or API key → Test Connection → Save
Step 3 — Map pods to spaces
Assign each hardware pod to the corresponding Links space. Once mapped, booking that space triggers the pod's automation.
Step 4 — Configure environmental presets
Set presets for different scenarios:
{
"preset": "meeting",
"lighting": { "level": 80, "color_temp": 4000 },
"temperature": { "target": 21, "unit": "celsius" },
"ventilation": { "mode": "auto" },
"apply_on": "booking_start",
"revert_on": "booking_end"
}
Occupancy sensing
Pod Control reads occupancy signals from the pod's built-in sensors:
- PIR motion sensor — detects presence within 2 meters
- CO₂ sensor — confirms occupation even when occupants are still
- Door sensor — optional, for pods with smart doors
Occupancy data flows into:
- Dashboard → Analytics — pod utilization vs. bookings ratio
- Auto-release — if a booked pod shows no occupancy within 10 minutes, the booking is released
- Pod status display — real-time indicator on room panels